Air-Fried Shrimp Tempura: A Quick, Crispy Delight

If you're craving a crunchy, juicy snack, look no further than shrimp tempura—a Japanese favourite. Traditionally, tempura is made by deep frying a combination of flour, egg, and water after dipping shrimp or vegetables in the batter. But you can also make tempura in an air fryer, which is healthier and less messy.

To make shrimp tempura in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare the shrimp by deveining and removing the shell, leaving the tail on. You can also notch and stretch out the shrimp to straighten it, though this is optional. Then, you'll need to create a batter, which typically includes flour, water or cornstarch, and eggs, though some recipes suggest adding ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, or even Japanese mayonnaise. After coating the shrimp in the batter, cook it in the air fryer for around 7-8 minutes at around 350-400°F, and serve with a dipping sauce like tentsuyu or sweet and sour sauce.

Devein and remove shells from shrimp

Deveining and removing the shells from shrimp is a very important step in the process of making shrimp tempura in an air fryer. It ensures that your shrimp are clean and free of any grit or digestive tract remnants, making them safe and enjoyable to eat. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Prepare the Shrimp

Start by gathering your tools: you will need a sharp paring knife and/or kitchen shears. If your shrimp are frozen, place them in a bowl of cold water and let them thaw for about 30 minutes. If they are fresh, you can place them on a sheet pan covered with ice to keep them chilled as you work.

Step 2: Remove the Shells

There are two methods for removing the shells from the shrimp: using your hands or using kitchen shears. For the hand method, start by pulling off the legs. Then, use your thumbs to crack open the shell along the underside, where it is softer, and pull off the shell. Pinch off the tail by gently pulling it where it meets the body of the shrimp. The tail can be left on for presentation or removed for easier eating.

If using kitchen shears, cut along the top of the shrimp with the shears, then crack open the shell and pull it off. Again, you can leave the tail on or remove it as preferred.

Step 3: Devein the Shrimp

The "vein" in a shrimp is actually its digestive tract, and it can be unsightly and add grittiness to your dish. To remove it, use your paring knife to make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp. The vein will look like a thin, dark string filled with grit. Use the tip of your knife to gently pull out the vein, starting from the top and working your way down. It is fairly elastic, so it usually won't break, but if it does, just pick it up and keep pulling.

Step 4: Rinse and Chill the Shrimp

Once your shrimp are shelled and deveined, give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove any remaining grit. Then, transfer them to a bowl of ice water and chill until you are ready to cook them.

Deveining and shelling shrimp may seem intimidating at first, but with these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious and safely prepared shrimp tempura from your air fryer!

Prepare the tempura batter

The key to a great tempura batter is getting the right consistency. The batter should be thin, but not too liquidy. It should also be light and airy, but not too fluffy. To achieve this, you'll want to use ice-cold water and mix the batter just enough to combine the ingredients.

Start by preparing two separate bowls for the wet and dry batter mixtures. In the first bowl, combine 1/2 cup of ice-cold water, 1/2 cup of flour, and 1 egg or 2 egg whites. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. You can also add a little cornstarch to this mixture for extra crispness.

In the second bowl, add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour and a generous pinch of salt. Whisk this together, and you'll have your dry batter mixture ready.

Some people like to add a little baking powder or baking soda to the dry mixture for extra fluffiness, but this is optional. You can also experiment with using carbonated water or even Japanese mayonnaise in the wet mixture for a super crispy and airy texture.

Once you've prepared your batter, it's important to work quickly so that the batter doesn't deflate. Dip your shrimp into the wet mixture first, letting any excess drip off, then dredge it through the dry flour mixture to coat it lightly. Place the battered shrimp on a clean plate or parchment-lined baking sheet while you prepare the rest.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating the air fryer is an important step in making shrimp tempura. It ensures that the shrimp cooks evenly and that the batter becomes crispy without becoming soggy. Here is a detailed guide on how to preheat your air fryer for making shrimp tempura:

Firstly, it is crucial to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model. Different air fryers may have varying preheating procedures and temperature settings. However, the standard preheating temperature for most air fryers is typically around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Before preheating, prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper. This step is essential to prevent the shrimp from sticking to the basket and to facilitate easy cleanup afterward. Cut the parchment paper to fit the basket snugly, and set it aside until you are ready to cook the shrimp.

Now, turn on your air fryer and set the desired temperature. For shrimp tempura, a temperature between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. This temperature range will ensure that your shrimp cooks through without overcooking and that the batter achieves the desired crispness. Allow the air fryer to preheat for a few minutes until it reaches the set temperature. Most air fryers will have a ready indicator light or a beep to notify you when it's preheated.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your shrimp and batter. Follow the steps in your chosen shrimp tempura recipe to ensure that your shrimp and batter are ready to go once the air fryer reaches the desired temperature. This ensures that you can immediately start cooking the shrimp once the air fryer is preheated, maintaining the efficiency of the cooking process.

Once your air fryer reaches the set temperature, it's ready to use! Open the basket and carefully place the battered shrimp inside, ensuring they don't overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. Close the basket and set the timer according to your recipe, typically around 7-10 minutes for shrimp tempura.

Remember, the key to successful shrimp tempura in an air fryer is achieving the right temperature and not overcrowding the basket. By preheating your air fryer properly, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy shrimp tempura made right in your own kitchen!

Dip shrimp in batter and place in air fryer basket

When preparing shrimp tempura in an air fryer, the most important thing to remember is to not overcrowd the basket. This is because the hot air needs to be able to circulate properly to fry the batter on each shrimp.

To dip the shrimp in batter, first, prepare the batter by whisking together the cornstarch, flour, club soda, and beaten egg in a large bowl until well combined. You can also add salt to your batter to make up for the loss of flavour from not deep frying. Next, hold the shrimp by the tail and dip it in the batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off.

Once the shrimp is coated in batter, it's time to place them in the air fryer basket. Place the battered shrimp on the parchment paper in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single, uncrowded layer. Spray the shrimp with cooking oil spray and then air fry at 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness.

If you are preparing a large batch of shrimp, you will need to cook them in batches. While the first batch is in the air fryer, continue battering the second batch so they are ready to go in as soon as the first batch is done.

Cook shrimp in batches

When making shrimp tempura in an air fryer, it's important to cook the shrimp in batches. This is because you want to ensure that the hot air can circulate properly and fry the tempura batter on each shrimp. If you overcrowd the air fryer basket, the shrimp will not cook evenly and you'll end up with a mess.

To cook shrimp in batches, first, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your shrimp by deveining them, removing the shell up to the tail, and making small notches on the "belly" of each shrimp to stretch them out. You'll also want to prepare your batter and dredging station. This typically includes a wet batter made from a combination of flour, ice-cold water or soda water, and egg whites or a whole beaten egg. You'll also need a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and a dry mixture of flour, cornstarch, and/or breadcrumbs.

Once your shrimp are prepared and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to start cooking. Dip each shrimp into the wet batter, allowing any excess to drip off, and then dredge it through the dry mixture to coat lightly. Place the battered shrimp on the prepared plate or baking sheet. Repeat this process until you have a single layer of shrimp ready to go into the air fryer. Spray the shrimp with cooking oil spray and then place them in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket.

Air fry the shrimp for 7-8 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness. Repeat this process with the remaining shrimp, working in batches, until all the shrimp are cooked.

Frequently asked questions